[News] With the 21st overall pick Flames select C Mark Jankowski

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by Beninho

I would be more than inclined to move Jankowski to the wing on the first line or move Bennett to the wing on the top line, or play him as the 4th line center. All make the team better than what it is currently.

Based on the chemistry Ferland developed with Johnny and Mony last year, I doubt anyone is going to talk the 1RW spot for a while. That's Ferland's spot to lose.

The team has consistently said they're committed to playing Bennett at centre. The centre depth for now is Monahan > Backlund > Bennett.

I'd be okay with Jankowski centring the fourth line, but Brouwer will kill his development the same way he killed Bennett's last year. The only way I'd want Jankowski playing of the fourth line is if it was Stajan - Janko - Lazar and we could roll four lines.

However, the addition of Glass and the fact that Brouwer is still around makes that fourth line unrealistic.

I really, really hope a trade is coming soon in order to open a spot for Jankowski.

[Jore]

Originally Posted by Zoller

I don't get the hate for starting Janko on the 4th line. Backlund started on the 4th line and he turned out great

So did Thornton, Seguin, Johansen, etc. Would like to see some more proof/discussion of players (especially at 23) who benefit more from the ahl than 4th line (with possibility of moved into top 9) in the Nhl.

also, if bt were truly anxious to get jankowski in the lineup, I really don't understand why he would sign tanner glass and not waive him to make room for jankowski. Reminds me a bit of waiving Byron for bollig: not icing the best team possible

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

It's one thing to say "Waive Hamilton and bring Jankowski up!" It's another thing entirely to find room for him in the lineup and unless they move a body, it's going to be really tough to do so.

Technically sending Hamilton down is moving a body, so I guess you specifically mean moving Stajan or Brouwer, or less likely one of the top nine.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Jankowski shouldn't be developed on the fourth line
Jankowski should ideally be developed at centre

These two points complicate fitting Jankowski in. I'd be okay with him playing him on the wing on the top 3 lines. But playing him on the fourth line is a total waste and could stunt his offensive confidence

I don't agree with the latter part - he doesn't seem to lack for offensive confidence. I could see him being a short-handed threat too with his reach. I think the most important thing he needs is NHL playing time - whether on wing or at 4C or shuttling between them is less important for the first year.

As soon as his second full season though I believe he will need and earn a top 9 role. With Versteeg and Jagr on one year deals there will be room, but it still requires sorting out the C situation.

[dfsflamesfan]

I don't understand the offensive confidence portion. If you have a strong player playing on the 4th line, you'd expect them to dominate the ice which will help the team in the long run. It would be essentially having two third lines.

[flamesfever]

Playing on the fourth line sure didn't negatively affect Martin St. Louis. In fact he often said his time with the Fllames made him a much better hockey player in the long run.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dfsflamesfan

I don't understand the offensive confidence portion. If you have a strong player playing on the 4th line, you'd expect them to dominate the ice which will help the team in the long run. It would be essentially having two third lines.

Especially having the players we have that could fill out that 4th line:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Bennett - Jagr
Lazar - Jankowski - Hathaway
Stajan, F. Hamilton

You know what that 4th line brings you? Unlimited hustle with the ability to chip in offensively. That would be an unreal strength.

As is right now, Glass - Stajan - Brouwer is nothing but a liability.

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Technically sending Hamilton down is moving a body, so I guess you specifically mean moving Stajan or Brouwer, or less likely one of the top nine.

I meant moving a body out of the organization. Since Freddie "Always Scratched" Hamilton isn't the one keeping Jankowski out of the line up, he's not the one they would need to move out in order to free up space for Janko.

[flame^thrower]

Originally Posted by Beninho

You still didn't answer my question, why can't you send Hamilton down to have Jankowski in the lineup. If he's on the team this team is better, this team couldn't keep Ozone possession at all last game, Jankowski would help out big time unless you want this team to get off to another awful start. I would way rather Jankowski be on the team and help the flames win games even if he's playing 8-10 minutes a night, he needs to start learning how to play at the NHL level and the loner we fail to offload ####ty veterans the longer we will have to watch the team play at less than optimal level. But I guess it's all business, who wants to win hockey games that may be crucial to make the playoffs, and let's keep losing to the Oilers.

The only place he moves Freddie from is the press box right now...

Edit: Late comment sorry .. should have refreshed!

[fotiou22]

At this point, I don't see why they don't just send Brouwer down to Stockton. They're not fooling any other GM in the league by keeping him around. Maybe he gets some confidence back. Maybe he becomes a good mentor for the kids. Maybe he gets a rash and needs to go longterm IR. But sending him down won't change his trade value.

Jankowski has value on the 4th line. And there is value to his development. He performed fantastically without good linemates through the pre-season.

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by fotiou22

At this point, I don't see why they don't just send Brouwer down to Stockton. They're not fooling any other GM in the league by keeping him around. Maybe he gets some confidence back. Maybe he becomes a good mentor for the kids. Maybe he gets a rash and needs to go longterm IR. But sending him down won't change his trade value.

Jankowski has value on the 4th line. And there is value to his development. He performed fantastically without good linemates through the pre-season.

I don't agree with this.

In his time in Calgary, Brad Treliving has shown that he's not one to sit idle; he's always working to improve the team. The fact that Brouwer is still on the team and not in Stockton suggests that there is still the possibility for a trade somewhere.

Since we aren't inside the room we don't know what all is said behind closed doors. But Treliving isn't one to handicap the team by intentionally icing an inferior product. He's never shown undue loyalty to veteran players simply because they're veterans. If Brouwer was hampering the team and there was no way to trade him he would be sent down.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Technically, sending him down makes him more attractive than he currently is, especially if the Flames eat some salary. If as move is made with a player in the minors, that player can remain in the minors until the team decides to make a move to bring that player up. That is a big advantage to having that to work with for your roster. Brouwer likely has more value in the AHL than he does in the NHL. Waive him for interest, then send him down already.

[madmike]

The Flames need to get Jankowski on the 3rd line somehow. I think he’d be great with Bennett.

If it takes sending Brouwer to the AHL, then do it. Based on his time with the Flames, Brouwer has no business playing in the NHL.

[420since1974]

I'm of the opinion that Jankowski should start at LW.
Gaudreau, Bouma, Bennett, & Tkachuk have all benefited from the "Backlund Bump".
Why not Jankowski?
I'd also try him on Bennett's LW, just move Versteeg down to the 4th line.
Of course, that would entail a trade or waiving a player to Stockton (F. Hamilton)?

[PeteMoss]

Brouwer playing on a brutal 4th line does nothing for his trade value. If you were really playing him to boost his trade value - you'd put him with Monahan and Gaudreau and on the PP.

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Brouwer playing on a brutal 4th line does nothing for his trade value. If you were really playing him to boost his trade value - you'd put him with Monahan and Gaudreau and on the PP.

No one is going to think Brouwer is an effective first line player. But if he can be useable fourth line player, someone might take him if the Flames retain some salary.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The top line better be ready to go tonight. Down the road I'd like to see Gaudreau - Monahan - Jagr. Jagr is a better, bigger version of Hudler and that's when you saw 13 and 23 at their best. Making plays and scoring beautiful goals.

This team needs upgrades to the top 9. Jagr and hopefully soon Jankowski can do that, I believe.

However this assessment is based on the preseason and last game. Hopefully tonight the team can show they already have what it takes to play winning, entertaining hockey.

[sureLoss]

Conroy was watching the Heat last night.

His interview with 960 saying they (Flames management) all know Jankowski should be in the NHL:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/calgary-...jankowski-nhl/

[Reggie Dunlop]

For those who have see Jankowski play in person, what's his footspeed like? Being a big man, I suppose he has a lengthy stride, but how's his first bursts?

I ask because I'm wondering how well he'd match up in a defensive role to McDavid.

[GranteedEV]

I think he's a very smooth skater. I'd compare his skating to other smooth-skating big guys like Scheifele, Kopitar, and Matthews. He's going to be still a clear tier below the real monsters - Eichel, Malkin, Marleau, MacKinnon, prime Ovechkin - those guys whose exposive skating makes you drop your jaw - and in turn those guys are still a tier below McDavid.

If I had to compare him to someone on the Flames I'd say Hamilton skating forwards, and maybe Giordano skating backwards. Skating is a strength of his in my opinion. I'm not an expert on breaking down skating technique but he passes my eye test. But so do Bennett and Backlund. We can match up with McDavid.